How to Spot Romance Scams and Protect Your Loved Ones
Falling victim to a romance scam can leave a lasting financial and emotional impact. It’s important to be cautious when meeting people online, and to know the red flags to look out for. Read on to find out how to protect you and your loved ones from romance scams.
What is a romance scam?
Romance scammers set up a false identity online with the intention of gaining people’s trust and then asking them for money. They target lonely or vulnerable people and talk to them for a long period of time, developing an emotional relationship. This bond will then be used to ask for money, claiming they need it for things like travel, urgent healthcare or paying off debt. They may also collect personal information in order to steal their victims’ identities.
They deliberately target vulnerable people, including teenagers, elderly people, and people going through difficult life events such as bereavement or divorce. While their identity isn’t real, these scammers manipulate the emotions of their victims to make them feel like they really know them.
Signs of a romance scam
Isolation tactics
Romance scams rely on secrecy and manipulation. Scammers will often convince their victims that those around them are untrustworthy, won’t understand or anything else that will prevent them from telling anyone.
Moving fast
If an online relationship progresses very quickly through confessions of love and promises, it often involves sharing a tragic story to make the victim believe that they know them well. Some people even believe they are engaged to romance scammers. The speed of the relationship may indicate that it is a scam.
Never meeting
Scammers will often avoid meeting in real life. They will likely come up with excuses and delay or cancel potential meetings.
How to protect yourself and your loved ones
Never send money
If you are in a relationship with someone you only know online, never send them money. If they try to pressure you further, this is a red flag.
Talk to friends and family
Having conversations about you or your loved one’s online relationship helps override any potential isolation tactics. Keep asking questions if something doesn’t feel right – it’s better to be on the safe side.
Reverse image search
Many romance fraudsters use other people’s images to appear as attractive and hide their identity. Running their profile through a reverse image search or an AI detector is a good indicator of whether they are being dishonest.
Report potential fraud to your bank
If you believe that you or someone you know has given money to a scammer, you should contact your bank. They will help you to prevent further transactions.
Report crime anonymously
If you have information about a crime but do not want to share your identity for any reason, you can report via Crime Stoppers Bermuda. Our online form and phone line are available to receive information without tracking data, and we will never ask for personal information. Your tip will be given to law enforcement, but cannot be traced back to you.
Use our online form or call 800-8477 to report a crime
